The University of Oslo has in a surprising turnaround cleared Anders Behring Breivik to enroll in a handful of political science courses, the Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported on Wednesday. Norwegian law guarantees inmates the right to some form of employment or education, but the news that Breivik had applied to study political science caused an outcry this summer from the families of his victims. The university rejected Breivik's application because he had not finished his high school degree. Breivik, convicted of killing 77 people in a 2011 bombing and shooting massacre, was sentenced to 21 years of "preventive detention" in 2012. The sentence may be definitely extended.

According to the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, Breivik will study three introductory political science courses, one each in political theory, international politics, and public policy and administration. Breivik will not receive an academic degree for his studies, but he will receive credit should he receive a passing grade. Nor will Breivik personally interact with any of Oslo's faculty members; the university will loan all academic materials to Skien prison. With directions provided by the university, Breivik will study independently and submit his work from prison.